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WalterEugene (Gene) Danneberg, 84, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at FirstHealth Hospice House.
Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, March 31, 2017 at Southern Pines United Methodist Church, with the Reverend Tommy Sweeley and Reverend Chae Albright officiating. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church. A private burial will be held at Pinelawn Cemetery.
He was born on September 29, 1932 in Kansas City, KS to Walter and Doris Danneberg. He spent his early years in Kansas City and Bartlesville, OK schools and then graduated from Waukegan Township High School in Waukegan, IL in 1950. Mr. Danneberg went on to graduate from DePauw University, Greencastle, IN in 1954 where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, a four year Rector Scholar and played on the golf team. He also was a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, WI. He then spent two years as an officer in the Air Force during which time he married his college sweetheart, Judy Hunt.
After leaving the service, he joined the National Bank of North Chicago, where he eventually became Executive Vice President. In 1963 he organized and founded the Mid-West National Bank of Lake Forest, Lake Forest, IL (now First Midwest Bank) and served as its President and CEO until his retirement in 1983. During those years, he was very active in civic affairs. He was President of the Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce, President of the Lake Forest Rotary Club, Chairman of the Official Board of Grace Methodist Church, President of Interfaith Community Services, President of the Lake County Bankers Federation, President of the Lake County Red Cross and President of the Lake County Credit Bureau. He was also active as a member of the Lake Forest Cemetery Commission, the Girl Scout Council, Grove School for the Handicapped, Glenkirk School for the Handicapped, the Urban League, the Civic League, the Cancer Society, the Heart Association, United Community Services, the Chaplaincy, United Way and the American and Illinois Bankers Associations.
Mr. Danneberg had a lifelong interest in sports, primarily golf, tennis, racquetball, basketball and fishing. He was a member of Shoreacres golf club in Lake Bluff, IL, Glen Flora Country Club, Waukegan, IL and Bear's Paw Country Club, Naples, FL. Mr. and Mrs. Danneberg moved from Naples, FL to Southern Pines, NC in 1987. He joined Pinehurst Country Club and served as President of The Tin Whistles in 1999. He was also a member of the Church Council of Southern Pines United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Judy, in 2008.
He is survived by their two daughters: Deborah and husband Kevin Fleece, of Seven Lakes West, and Jennifer and husband Scott Garrepy of Newport Beach, CA.
Memorials may be made to Southern Pines United Methodist Church, 175 Midland Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387 or the Cancer Care Fund, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Powell Funeral Home of Southern Pines is assisting the Danneberg family.
Online condolences at: PinesFunerals.com